the human body Flashcards
Anatomy
study of the structure and shape of the body and body parts and their relationships to one another
Physiology
study of how the body and its parts work or function
Organelles
Specialized structures in a cell that perform specific metabolic functions
Cells
the smallest units of all living things
Tissues
consist of groups of similar cells that have a common function
Organ
structure that is composed of two or more tissue types and performs a specific function for the body
Organ System
group of organs that cooperate to accomplish a common purpose
Organism
an individual living thing
Metabolism
the sum total of the chemical reactions that occur in the body
Homeostasis
a state of body equilibrium or stable internal environment of the body
Negative-Feedback Mechanisms
feedback that causes the stimulus to decline or end
Receptor
peripheral nerve ending specialized for response to particular types of stimuli
Control Center
determines the level at which a variable is to be maintained, analyzes the information it receives and then determines the appropriate response or course of action
Effector
an organ, gland, or muscle capable of being activated by nerve endings
Positive-Feeding Mechanisms
feedback that tends to cause a variable to change in the same direction as the initial change; enhances the stimulus
Anatomical Position
standard body position
Superior
refers to the head or upper body regions
Inferior
pertaining to a position near the tail end of the long axis of the body
Anterior
the front of an organism, organ, or part; the ventral surface
Posterior
back of an organism, organ, or part; dorsal surface
Sagittal Plane
vertical plane that divides the body or any of its parts into right and left portions
Transverse Plane
plane that divides the body or its parts into superior and inferior portions; also called a cross section
Frontal Plane
a cut made along a lengthwise plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
Oblique Plane
divides the body at an angle
Thoracic Cavity
chest cavity
Abdominal Cavity
contains stomach, liver, intestines, and other organs
Pelvic Cavity
contains reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum
Serous Membranes
membrane that lines a cavity w/out an opening to the outside of the body except joint cavities
Pericardial Cavity
fluid-filled space between the two layers of the pericardium
Pleura Cavity
the serous membrane covering the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity
Peritoneal Cavity
fluid-filled gap between wall of abdomen and the organs contained within the abdomen
Mesentery
double-layered membrane of the peritoneum that supports most organs in the abdominal cavity
